Lin Xiaoman stared at him, her crescent-like eyes flashing with proud light. Not yielding at all. Completely different from the fragile image in the photos. This made Ji Zhixian even angrier. He said sternly: “Don’t you know that rumors are what artists fear most? Can’t you respect your profession? Do you think you can easily reach the top of the entertainment industry like this? You’re underestimating the entertainment world!”
“I’ve never underestimated the entertainment industry!” Lin Xiaoman’s gaze also turned cold, like a winter night, exceptionally chilling.
Most importantly, the person who had promised to believe her now stood opposite her, mocking her. “I only underestimated human nature!”
“I think you’re the one who knows best how to manipulate hearts!”
Ji Zhixian was irritated thinking about the photo of her and Ji Yuan, how she had shown goodwill to him, been rejected, and then immediately turned to another man’s arms.
This wasn’t what truly angered him. He was angry that he shouldn’t care about this, yet he was so unstable, so abnormal!
He had even pushed away important clients just to come back and hear her explanation.
“Manipulate hearts?” Lin Xiaoman approached Ji Zhixian step by step, coldly laughing, “Please, Director Ji, explain exactly how I manipulated hearts?”
The person who said he would believe her was him; the one who made her steak was him; the person who had been good to her but now hurt her was also him.
When it came to manipulating hearts, perhaps no one could compare to Ji Zhixian!
Ji Zhixian saw her stubborn and unwilling-to-lose appearance, and heard the last rational string in his brain snap, with anger burning in his heart.
She made him care about her so much, yet she was ambiguous with other men, and now dared to question him?
He could no longer restrain himself, roughly grabbing Lin Xiaoman’s arm, lowering his eyes and harshly saying in a low voice: “Why are you seducing other men?!”
Was he jealous?
Lin Xiaoman realized.
She suddenly remembered what Chu Daizi had said, “No man likes to be cuckolded,” so even though Ji Zhixian had no feelings for her, he would still be angry about her having rumors with other men.
This strange possessiveness.
Lin Xiaoman slightly widened her eyes, looking at him with a complexity that replaced her previous coldness, which made Ji Zhixian even more furious, unconsciously increasing the force of his grip.
“Ah!” Lin Xiaoman cried out in pain.
Ji Zhixian saw her reddened wrist and involuntarily loosened his hand slightly.
Noticing his small action, Lin Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes like spring water, with a shallow smile that was somewhat seductive.
Ji Zhixian frowned, preparing to let go of her hand.
But Lin Xiaoman suddenly grabbed his hand.
“Let go!” Ji Zhixian said harshly.
Lin Xiaoman held his hand tightly.
“Let go!” Ji Zhixian took a breath, suppressing the fire in his heart.
Lin Xiaoman smiled at him: “It was my mistake.”
Her smile was brilliant, like summer flowers, making one intoxicated.
Ji Zhixian was stunned, not understanding why she suddenly changed her attitude.
“It was all Ji Yuan trying to ride my popularity. There’s nothing between him and me. Don’t misunderstand, okay?”
Her voice was soft, her eyes shining brightly, staring at him unblinkingly.
Ji Zhixian’s heart began to beat uncontrollably.
“You…” Lin Xiaoman gently bit her lip, looking pitiful, “Won’t blame me, right?”
Ji Zhixian’s throat moved, he restrained himself, suddenly throwing her hand away, wanting to calm down.
But his force was too great, pulling Lin Xiaoman directly into his embrace.
Soft and fragrant in his arms, Ji Zhixian inexplicably became restless, only wanting to greedily hold the person in his arms tightly.
Just as he was about to raise his hand, his gaze met Lin Xiaoman’s sly, half-smiling eyes.
This hateful woman!
Ji Zhixian came to his senses, pushing her away and coldly saying: “What are you doing?!”
“Of course, I’m showing you what seduction is,” Lin Xiaoman put away her smile, looking at him calmly. “If I really wanted to seduce someone, I wouldn’t use such troublesome methods.”
Ji Zhixian was furious, this woman actually teased him again and again: “You—”
“I’m different from you. Even if you break your word and don’t trust me, I will definitely keep my promises,” Lin Xiaoman interrupted him. “But, three strikes and you’re out. If you falsely accuse me again, our contract is cancelled.”
“Don’t even think—” Ji Zhixian blurted out without thinking, but before he could finish, Lin Xiaoman’s phone rang.
Lin Xiaoman cleared her throat and answered: “What’s up?”
After a word from the other side, her expression changed: “Wait there, I’m coming right away.”
Without looking at Ji Zhixian, Lin Xiaoman quickly packed her things and rushed out.
The car sped up.
Lin Xiaoman’s face turned cold as she looked out the window. Countless street lamps flashed past, and distant neon lights transformed into phantoms, reminiscent of the scene she last saw that night.
Her heartbeat accelerated, and fear engulfed her like a tide. She seemed unable to breathe, her face deathly pale.
“Don’t even think about terminating our contract,” Ji Zhixian’s voice was low and determined.
The car was dead silent. Lin Xiaoman did not respond.
Ji Zhixian slightly tilted his head, catching a glimpse of her pale face, seeming to endure immense pain, revealing a fragility he had never seen before.
His heart stirred, and he involuntarily slowed the car, his tense expression softening slightly: “Don’t play tricks.”
Lin Xiaoman gradually came back to herself, her bewildered eyes becoming clearer. Looking at the person beside her, soft light brushed across his body, and from his jade-like profile, she surprisingly saw a hint of nervousness and unease.
She realized that since crossing over, this man she found annoying had always been helping her. Despite many arguments, he had consistently stayed by her side.
“I’m fine,” her tone softened.
Her voice was sweet, with a trailing softness, like a feather gently scratching at one’s heart.
Ji Zhixian suddenly found himself unable to deal with her, his angry words stuck in his throat.
He could only slowly respond: “I promise you.”
Lin Xiaoman looked at him in surprise. She had thought that with Ji Zhixian’s arrogant temperament, getting him to back down would be very difficult.
“You must also promise me that you will hide nothing from me,” Ji Zhixian avoided her gaze and said solemnly.
Lin Xiaoman sighed, feeling somewhat helpless: “I told you, this is Ji Yuan’s publicity stunt.”
Xie Chi nodded slightly.
Lin Xiaoman understood that yesterday, after Xiaobai learned about the company’s decision, he found Xie Chi to help her deal with the rumor incident. As a result, he had been working from noon yesterday until today, causing his girlfriend’s dissatisfaction.
“Xiaobai,” Lin Xiaoman shook his arm, “what’s wrong with you?”
Xiaobai opened his blurry eyes, shook his head and looked at her before recognizing Lin Xiaoman. He suddenly panicked and tried to escape, but turned his head and directly hit the glass, crying out in pain.
“Are you okay?” Lin Xiaoman frowned, feeling that Xiaobai was not normal.
“I’m useless…” Xiaobai hit his just-bumped head as if he didn’t feel pain, “I’m useless, I promised not to let you worry, but I didn’t handle anything well… I’m useless…”
Lin Xiaoman was more surprised but still comforted him: “You’ve done very well, it’s not your fault.”
The article has been edited to maintain focus on the main narrative, with irrelevant details removed.
“You both did well.”
“No, I didn’t do well, I didn’t do well…” Xiaobai hit himself harder, his voice choked, “My vision is no good, my abilities are no good, I can’t handle anything, I’m just trash!”
